haggai-2:2-9-esv

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:3-5

Past and present. I. A SUGGESTION — Of the continuity of human history . Haggai's question assumes that the structure then erecting was not a new edifice (which it really was), but the old building set up again, though in faded splendour, which also it was, inasmuch as it was based on the foundations of the earlier pile. "This house in its former glory" meant that the prophet looked on the two houses as one, and the two eras represented by these houses, not as two distinct and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:4

Be strong. This is repeated three times for emphasis' sake. The same exhortation was given by David to Solomon before the building of the first temple ( 1 Chronicles 28:10 ; comp. Joshua 1:6 , Joshua 1:7 , Joshua 1:9 ). Haggai seems to suggest comfort in the thought that such admonition was needed at that time as well as now when they are so depressed (comp. Zechariah 8:9 ). And work; literally, and do; ποιεῖτε : facite, The word is used absolutely, as often (camp. Isaiah... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:4-5

The real presence. In contrasting the house the builders were now raising for God with the first temple, many a reference was doubtless made by the "ancient men" to "the ark of the covenant" and "the Shechinah," which had been the visible symbols of the Divine presence. What, after all, they would urge, could this new structure be without these precious tokens of the Lord, as being with them in all his majesty and might? Haggai therefore most appropriately laid great emphasis upon the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:5

According to the word that I covenanted. The Hebrew is simply, "the word that I," etc. Hence some have connected it with the verb "do" in the preceding verse, the intervening words being parenthetical. But there is intended no injunction respecting the observation of the old covenant, but a consolatory message under present despondency. Others take it with the verb that fallows: "the word and my Spirit remain among you." but it is best to leave the clause in the abrupt fashion in which it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6

Yet once, it is a little while; ἔτι ἅπαξ ; Adhuc unum modicum est (Vulgate), The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews (12:26, 27) quotes and founds an argument on this rendering of the LXX . The expression is equivalent to "once again within a little time." I will shake, etc. Some difference of opinion exists as to the events here adumbrated. All, however, agree in seeing an allusion to the promulgation of the Law on Mount Sinai, which was accompanied with certain great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6-7

The shaking of the heavens and the earth. I. HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS . 1 . At Sinai, when Jehovah manifested himself to Israel ( Exodus 19:16-19 ; Psalms 68:7 , Psalms 68:8 ). Preparatory and prophetical. 2 . At the birth of Christ, when Jehovah appeared on earth in the Person of his Son ( Joel 2:30 , Joel 2:31 : Luke 2:8-14 ; Acts 2:19 , Acts 2:20 ). Furthering and fulfilling. 3 . At the end of time, when Jehovah will a third time appear, in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6-9

§ 2. The prophet, to reconcile the people to the new temple, and to touch them to value it highly, foretells a future time, when the glory of this house shall far exceed that of Solomon's, adumbrating the Messianic era. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6-9

The prophet's Messianic prophecy. In studying the Old Testament, it is deeply interesting to trace therein the gradual development of the Messianic hope. Three distinct stages are observable. 1 . From the promise made at the Fall ( Genesis 3:15 ) until the death of Moses. The indefinite promise respecting "the Seed of the woman" was made more definite in the promise to Abraham ( Genesis 12:3 ), and was revealed still more explicitly in "the Prophet" who was declared by Moses as at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6-9

The moral progress of the world. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land," etc. Humanity is undoubtedly progressing in certain directions—in secular information, in scientific discoveries, in useful and ornamental arts, in the extension of commerce, in the principles of legislation. But whether it is progressing in moral excellence is undoubtedly questionable, and yet there is no real progress... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:7

All nations ( Luke 21:25 , where our Lord refers to the end of this world). But before Christ's first advent there was a general shaking of empires. Persia fell; Alexander's dominion was divided and gradually shattered before the might of Rome; Rome herself was torn with civil wars. The faith in the power of national gods was everywhere weakened, and men were prepared to receive the new revelation of one Supreme Deity, who came on earth to teach and save. Now is mentioned the object or... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:3-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:4-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:6-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Haggai 2:7

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